Hi there, it's been a very long time since I've been on the boards. However I had gastric sleeve surgery in September 2014. It has been very successful, I've had virtually no complications. I only need to lose 20lbs to be at my goal weight.

However, I had acid reflux prior to having this surgery and for whatever reason, the person that did my endoscope prior to surgery ok'd me for the sleeve and I stupidly thought that once I lost weight and was eating right, the acid would somehow go away.

I was wrong...I don't know if it's really worse than before surgery but it is certainly not any better.

I've taken prescription medicine for about 20 years for acid reflux and I still continue to need it now.

I've had a few attacks in the last 6 months that have been what I would call sever. I am also concerned about new reports linking dementia and osteoporosis to acid medicines.

I went 2 weeks ago to see my gastric surgeon about this and I didn't really know what to expect at that visit, however once I told her what had been happening she said here are your options.

First, thing was do nothing up your acid medicine and the second thing was revision to by pass. The second one, I was not expecting, it never ever crossed my mind that I would need a revision.

Now the surgeon explains how the bypass would get rid of the acid, however I have a friend that has had a bypass or still takes acid medicine.

I go tomorrow for a PH balance test and an endoscopy to see what things in there are looking like, however I'd like to know after bypass do you still have acid issues? If you do, I'm not sure what the point of revision would be.

Also if I were to get the revision, how much more weight would I expect to lose? I don't have much more to go and I would worry that then I'd be to thin....(never thought I'd say that:))

Anything you'd be willing to share would be appreciated.

Edited February 2, 20179 yr by ren0318

Oh thank you! I needed to hear that. I was so scared of bypass, but know it is my only option now!

So I got my test results back from my PH balance test. Anything over 14.72 is an issue; my score was 75.25!! I don't see my surgeon until March 6th, so I'm thinking a revision for sure is coming!

Wow! Looks like you have found the problem. I have completed all of my testing and a request has been submitted to insurance. I see the surgeon on the 23rd to schedule. I am feeling better about it all, or am just so sick of the acid that I just want it to end.

Bear hugs, I was wondering are they having you do the liver shrink diet beforehand?

They have not had me on one as of yet. I may have to do something once surgery is scheduled, but as it stands right now, I weigh 147lbs. The nutritionist has mentioned having to add calories to me early to keep me from losing too much.

I got my approval and date today for my revision. What did I get in return? The most intense bought of reflux I have had in a month. Just a reminder of why I am doing this. April 10th can't get here fast enough!

ren0318

I had sleeve in 2011.Then in 2015 acid reflux that kept getting worse.In Nov 2016 i had Bypass.I will never regret it.I was really concerned that if reflux kept getting worse that my esophagus would be compromised and I would have to have a feeding tube in my old age.Hope this helps.I still take 20 mg omeprozole for first 6 months then I will be fine.So far no issues.

ren0318

I had sleeve in 2011.Then in 2015 acid reflux that kept getting worse.In Nov 2016 i had Bypass.I will never regret it.I was really concerned that if reflux kept getting worse that my esophagus would be compromised and I would have to have a feeding tube in my old age.Hope this helps.I still take 20 mg omeprozole for first 6 months then I will be fine.So far no issues.

Thanks for your encouragement! Your spot is where I am right now. I was nervous about the bypass, but am getting less so as I get closer. I just need this acid gone!

II had my appointment today, it looks like I'm headed to revision --sleeve to bypass! I'm still letting that sink in. When Dr. Noria performed my endoscopy, my test showed that my acid levels were at 75.3!!!! Anything over 14 is acid. My body naturally produces high amounts of acid. I've not achieved full remission of my diabetes either. And I'm back on a blood pressure pill and a Satin..She seems confident that this is the right move. My highest weight before surgery was 234LBs, I lost 15lbs on the liver shrink diet, and I've only lost 38lbs since I had surgery ( I a not minimizing the 38 lbs. I know that any loss is good, but I think you know what I mean). I was a lower BMI before I started but to get my BMI to under obese I still need to lose 30lbs! She feels the revision will do the trick. I pray she is right!. Now we will wait for insurance approval and move on to what's next.

ren0318

I had sleeve in 2011.Then in 2015 acid reflux that kept getting worse.In Nov 2016 i had Bypass.I will never regret it.I was really concerned that if reflux kept getting worse that my esophagus would be compromised and I would have to have a feeding tube in my old age.Hope this helps.I still take 20 mg omeprozole for first 6 months then I will be fine.So far no issues.

@ren0318 I am so glad that you are moving along on this! Wow, that is a lot of acid. Good luck on the revision process.

GmaDiana

Thanks for the response! So you've not had any issues then? That's great. Where were you weight/health wise before you had the revision? Was anything different eating wise afterward? The Dr. said my pouch might be much smaller...

Thanks Bearhugs for the words of encouragement!

ren0318

No I haven't had any more acid reflux problems at all.I was at 240 when i had the revision ,I have lost 43 lbs now.my taste buds have change more.I used to love Diet Coke.I tasted some one day all I could taste was a chemical flavor..Have to make real sure I take small bites and chew a lot.I did have 2 partial knee replacements after the sleeve ,so I didn't exercise as much. Now I can walk and exercise..i really feel it if i don't get my protein and keep up fluid intake now.My goal weight is 150 for now.Working hard to get there. Don't know your age but i'm 62..Stay in touch.

It seems like you're all set for your revision. I just wanted to share why I eventually opted for RNY over the sleeve.

I initially really, really wanted the sleeve. I suffered from mild to moderate GERD with a hiatal hernia. My doctor strongly advised against the sleeve because of this. He said patients with GERD fare much better with the bypass in the long run, and that those who get sleeved usually have to have the revision done within five years. This occurs even after their GERD issues seemingly disappear. You didn't mention if you have a hiatal hernia, but I did. He also said that while the hernia could be repaired if I got sleeved, it would also likely reoccur within five years. The reason why bypass works so much better compared to the sleeve is because your small intestines anchors the new stomach pouch, preventing it from slipping back up through the diaphragm and causing acid reflux.

When my approval went through, it was for the sleeve. Ultimately, I didn't want to risk having a revision in a few years. I wanted this to be one and done. I asked about just repairing the hernia separately later on if I got sleeved and was told hiatal hernia surgery itself is a much more major surgery with greater complications and risks than any weight loss surgery. My surgeon also pointed out that even those who get sleeved still have to take vitamins for the rest of their lives, so there really isn't much difference. I also want to lose as much weight as possible to allow for natural and reasonable weight gain that comes with aging. Bypass weight loss gives you more wiggle room to work with. So I changed my mind and had my paperwork resubmitted for RNY. I didn't have to meet any additional or separate requirements; it was only the matter of updating the insurance code. I'm now 4 days post-op and I don't regret my decision at all.

nocturnalgemi, Thanks for the response! No, I didn't have a hernia, thankfully. I was afraid of the bypass. I'm not sure why exactly, other than reading horror stories and letting my imagination get the best of me. I had GERD before surgery...however, the surgeon that did my endoscopy (not my gastric surgeon, but one of her peers) said, "oh you are fine to have the sleeve."

I also have been a diabetic for almost 17 years. Before the sleeve I was on an insulin pump, taking huge amounts of insulin every day, but it didn't do any good. I was able to get off the insulin pump, however, I still have diabetes, I take an oral medication and my family Dr wants me to add another oral med....

I'm have lost about 38lbs since I had my sleeve in Sept 2014, I was a lower BMI when I started but I still need to lose at least 30 lbs! Granted recently I've not been as disciplined as I should have been, but I don't even feel any restriction at all anymore, makes me sad.

I NEVER imagined that I would need a revision, it didn't even cross my mind....some days I wonder if it's worth going through with it, but I can't give up!

I should have had the RNY to begin with, this is what I get for being such a baby! Please keep in touch, I would love to see your progress!